Children's work

Large numbers of children in developing countries engage in forms of work, often alongside their schooling. Children’s work can include chores within or outside the home or paid and unpaid activities outside the home. Some child work has negative impacts for children. In other cases, work may be an important way in which children develop and learn skills and are socialised into their families and communities. The way children spend their time is also closely linked to their well-being

Young Lives is researching the impact of children’s work on their education. We are also investigating the different paths young people take once they leave school. By following the same children and young people over a long period of time we are able to track whether poverty in early childhood influences their choices later in life and the jobs they do.